Should your lawyer app be here?
Today’s post title has to be one of the most unappealing I’ve ever written. I admit that it is evocative—in a bad way—for more than one reason. But it involves not wallet-snatching or worse, but new technology that alters the lawyer–client relationship.
As you may have guessed, I’m talking about lawyer applications for cell phones. Apps, primarily for the iPhone or other smartphones, have transformed the daily existence of many people. They modify our experience in gaming, business, entertainment and more.
But can they—and should they—modify experiences with lawyers? If so, how?
That is something I’d like to explore in Arizona Attorney Magazine. So as we begin looking into this, contact me with your thoughts on:
- Whether you have or are developing an app for your law practice.
- Whether you think apps have a place in the law.
- Whether you fear ethical pitfalls in regard to apps (for instance, how do you provide the app to the world without making it appear that random downloaders have become a client?).
- How do you develop a lawyer app that potential clients may download without providing confidential information, which may violate HIPAA or risk a conflict with an existing client?
Our story will focus on these and other issues, and will include stories of some lawyers who have had app success.
Don’t wait for the story to run to say, “Hey, I had an app! Why didn’t he call me?!”
Here’s why: I don’t know you. Contact me; let’s talk. Write me at arizona.attorney@azbar.org.
Follow @azatty
August 22, 2011 at 10:02 am
First, you need to find a lawyer who actually knows how to use a smartphone and a computer. There are still some who do no know how to even use the power button to turn a computer on.
Second, you have to overcome the fear of security issues. There are ways to encrypt both smartphone and computer communications.
I actually know several lawyers who are willing to communicate via text message and email. I even have some lawyer friends who are friends on Facebook. They are very careful as to what they say, as am I.
September 5, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Lawyer apps are a great resource for attorneys that are on-the-go.The apps allow them to be productive wherever they are. Push:legal is a new legal app that’s going to boost attorney productivity immensely.